Good news for residents who must renew their driver's licenses, or apply for a driver's license, is that the Makhado Municipality is once again able to deliver this essential service.
Since the beginning of August, persons wishing to renew their license or apply for a license had to be sent away as the municipality's live-scan (eye test) machine had broken down. This caused a major frustration to local motorists as they were forced to go and apply elsewhere. The problem was that nobody really knew where to go, as many testing centres in the area, such as Dzanani, were also not operational.
Municipal spokesperson Mr Louis Bobodi confirmed on Wednesday, however, that as from Monday this week, eye tests could once again be conducted as their live-scan machine had been fixed. The municipality has two machines, although one had already broken down more than a year ago and has yet to be fixed.
Bobodi explained that the eye test machine, like any other electronic equipment, is subject to wear and tear. The big question, however, on residents' minds is why such essential equipment takes so long to repair. "They are, however, only being fixed by a service provider who is contracted to the Department of Transport. We therefore log calls [request for maintenance] through the department for this purpose and it takes time, which is something beyond the control of the municipality," Bobodi said.
Many residents were left frustrated, however, by the fact that, since the municipality's eye test equipment was not working, they were not allowed not submit an eye test certificate from a recognised optometrist or eye test specialists such as Specsavers. This, Bobodi said, was not allowed in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, Act 93 of 1996, and its regulations. "The applicant must first be tested by the [municipal] examiner, and only when he or she fails can it be referred to an optometrist, and not the other way round," said Bobodi.
Disgruntled residents were left even more frustrated by the fact that municipal officials were unable to supply applicants with alternatives as to where they could apply while the machine was being fixed. When asked if the municipality could be more specific as to alternative testing centres where residents could have applied, Bobodi was also very vague. "Driving and or learner's licenses can be applied for and or renewed at any appropriately graded driving learners testing centre," Bobodi said.
At the time of his response and before Bobodi indicated that their machine was working again, the Zoutpansberger was able to confirm that both Thulamela and Musina Municipality could assist. The testing centres at Dzanani and Morobeng (Soekmekaar) are apparently both closed. It might be wise for residents to keep the other testing centres in mind, in case a similar situation occurs at the Makhado Municipality. Bobodi could give no indication as to how long it will take the Department of Transport to fix their second live-scan machine.